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Car stereo buying guide

Tips for choosing a new stereo for your car

I'm a Virginia native from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and I've been with Crutchfield since 1999. My first few years were spent as one of our advisors, helping our customers choose new gear. Eventually, I moved to the writing team and spent a decade researching new products and getting even more hands on with car audio gear. As the editor of Crutchfield's Car A/V web articles, I couldn't ask for a cooler job. We listen to music and play with car audio gear every day! Outside of work, I love playing board games & RPGs, scouting, and installing new audio systems for my friends.

The car stereo is the centerpiece of any car audio system. They look great in the dash and are full of useful features. Also known as a radio, receiver, or head unit, today's car stereo performs a variety of complex functions so that we can better enjoy our drive time. To understand these functions, it's helpful to think of a car stereo as having three different sections:

Source — This is the part that let's us choose what we want to hear. Sources may include a standard AM/FM tuner, CD or DVD player, satellite radio, iPod® or smartphone, or a USB input.

Preamp — This is where all sound adjustments are made. The preamp section includes controls ranging from simple volume, balance, fader, source selection, and tone adjustments to sophisticated crossovers, equalizers, and time correction.

Amplifier — The amplifier section boosts the small (low-voltage) audio signal coming from the preamp section into a larger (high-voltage) audio signal that's sent out to the speakers.

Why would I want or need a new car stereo?

A new stereo will give you better sound and more playback options than the typical factory stereo.

Better sound quality

Superior built-in power and better circuit design mean that an aftermarket car stereo isn't just louder than the typical factory stereo, it also produces cleaner, richer, more-detailed sound. Enhanced tone controls in the preamp section mean that you can do a better job fine-tuning the music.

New sources for music and added functions

One of most common reasons to get a new stereo is to expand your system's music playback and other capabilities. Aftermarket stereos offer advanced capabilities, such as:

MP3/WMA/AAC playback

iPod® and iPhone® support

Support for Android™ phones

Satellite radio

DVD playback

Bluetooth® connectivity

GPS navigation

Support for Pandora® Internet radio and other app-related sources

In particular, being able to use smartphone apps in the car is a big reason to get a new stereo.

Other things to consider when purchasing a new car stereo

Getting the right listening sources is only one thing to consider. You'll also want to keep in mind some of these aspects of a new reciever.

How sophisticated do you want to get?

Advanced features on new stereos more detailed displays to make it easier to see what you're doing. You should certainly consider a touchscreen monitor. They make it much easier to control and adjust the stereo.

Better sound controls

Speaking of adjustments, precision sound controls like digital time correction and parametric equalization are available on higher-end receivers for those of you who really want to tweak the sound. But even lower-priced aftermarket stereos will offer more audio control that the typical factory radio. That's just one more way a new stereo can make your music sound better.

Cool cosmetics

Aftermarket car stereos, with their high-tech displays and cutting-edge layouts, can enhance the appearance of your car's interior. Your options include full-color animated displays, customizable color schemes, and again, touchscreen monitors which usually have selectable backgrounds and colors. If you want to heighten the listening experience, look for a stereo with lighting that flashes to the beat!

Expandability

Auxiliary inputs, USB connections, and audio/video outputs let you expand your system by connecting portable music players, rear seat video screens, external amplifiers, and powered subwoofers to your new stereo. At the very least, look for a new stereo that has either a USB input or Bluetooth capability so that you can add your favorite listening source.

Security

Features like detachable face plates and security codes help protect your investment from theft.

What kind of car stereo is right for you?

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number and variety of models in our car stereo listing. How do you know which one is right for you? Our expert shopping guides can help. Click on the links to learn more.

It might be better to just jump right in! Tell us about your car and we'll show you all the stereos that will work with your vehicle and also tell you about what's needed to install your new stereo. If you have any questions, contact us for expert help from real people who share a passion for car audio.

All most people seem to want from a car stereo is volume and bass. Far too many systems in cars are about quantity, not quality, although as 405line has said, going for high quality is rather pointless in a car anyway. I imagine the Mark Levinson systems in a Lexus LS is about as good as it gets, but haven't tried one.

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Josh from Woodstock N.B

Posted on 1/8/2017

I have 2 15" MTX Thunder6000 and a 1000 watt Sony Xplod 2/1 channel amp will that be enough power for both subs?

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Ron from Studio City

Posted on 12/5/2016

I have a Pioneer HU which has 5-6 volts on all the rca amp pre's and was wondering do I need to make sure on amps if they can accept that high of volts off the rca plugs for the amps?

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Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield

Posted on 7/11/2016

Felipe, to gain HD radio and Bluetooth compatibility, you'll need to add a new stereo to your Lexus. I've passed your question along to our sales team for the best answer. An advisor will contact you soon.

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felipe from houston

Posted on 7/9/2016

queston I got a 2007 lexus es350 with navication and I would like to get Pandora without pluging my phone and what do I need to do to get hd readio

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Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield

Posted on 5/16/2016

Rick, based on our research, the best solution is to install an aftermarket receiver and bypass the factory amp if you'd like to replace the speakers.

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Rick from Minneapolis

Posted on 5/15/2016

I would like to replace the OEM speakers in my '02 Camaro with the Monsoon sound system and keep the OEM radio but it seems all of the aftermarket speakers are four ohm and my OEM speakers are two ohm. Can a resistor or coil (for impedance) be put in parallel with the speaker coil to lower the resistance that the amp sees to get the proper performance from the new speakers?

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Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield

Posted on 11/4/2015

Mark, you'll need additional gear to install a stereo in your Silverado. I've passed your information along to our sales team. An advisor will contact your shortly to help, or if you'd like to speak with someone right away, just give us a call at the number above.

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mark from edmonton

Posted on 11/4/2015

when I run a custom vehicle search (2011 Silverado) and product is noted as "fits your vehicle" and then inquire for accessories , I only get the three year protection option. does this mean the GM plug in's are a match to the radio, with out any adapters. i'm just doing the head unit and there are no wheel controls or anything involved .... thanks

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Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield

Posted on 8/27/2015

Matt, RDS stands for Radio Data System. When radio stations broadcast RDS information, you can tune in stations by genre, read text information on the radio display, and receive traffic alerts and emergency broadcasts.

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Matt

Posted on 8/26/2015

What does RDS mean when referring to car stereo receivers?

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Alexander Hrabe from Crutchfield

Posted on 7/16/2015

Nate, most touchscreen receivers will be a trickier fit in your Silverado, but you do have options. Give us a call at 1.888.955.6000 your in-dash priorities with an advisor.

Taryn, when it comes to professional installation, we recommend using InstallCard, which gives you access to a nationwide network of installers. In your case, an In-dash Video InstallCard will give you credit toward a certified installation in your area. If you have any questions, give us a call at 1.888.955.6000.

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Taryn Haynes from Mount Vernon, NY

Posted on 5/29/2015

I'd like to be referred to a place that will install the Jensen VX3022 radio system into my 2013 Nissan
Rogue in Westchester County in NY. Could you help me with this? I ordered the system with you guys. My order number is 41651956.

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